Screw-cover for traps.



P. C. GIBSON. SCREW COVER Foa TRAPS.

APPLICAUON FILED MAR.13. 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITN EISSES ATTORNEY F. C. GIBSON.

SCREW COVER FOR TRAPS. APPucATloN min MAR.13. 1916.

l%32?8& Patented my 1o, um.

W www f tlNfF @AES FATEN ffl.

PERCY C. GIBSN, OF WAUKEG-AN, ILLINOIS.

SCREW-COVER FOR TRAPS.

Application iled March 13, 1916.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, PIERGY C. GIBSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at lfaukegan, in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Screw-Cover for Traps, of which the f0llowing is a specification.

The present invention has reference to an improvement in trap covers of the screw type.

Heretofore, these covers have been in the form of plates seating over the trap opening, having an externally threaded depending flange adapted to be screwed into the trap opening, and having an angularly formed projection upon its upper face to receive a wrench, or the like, for turning the cover in placing and removing it. This form of cover is made in one piece, and is made of a brass casting.

There are a great many serious defects and disadvantages which have been found not only in the manufacture, but also in the practical use and handling of this common type of trap cover. The common form of cover, above described, is cast in one piece of brass, which effects a great loss in molding and machining the plate or top part of the cover. A great deal of scrap is produced, as the metal is frequently mis-run, is burnt by becoming too hot, and is frequently chilled before it covers the surface of the mold. Furthermore, the structure or form of the cover necessitates its formation in one piece, and of one kind of material, and necessitates the application of a separate packing ring or gasket, which is forced over the threaded flange, and frequently does not seat in proper position, and is easily detached and lost.

The object of the present invention is to provide a more economically constructed trap cover and one which overcomes all of the above enumerated disadvantages. To this end, the present invention provides a cover plate which may be made separate from the threaded flange or plug portion of the cover, and may be made of steel, copper, or nickel plated, sheet brass, aluminum, or any other material, or alloy, suitable for the purpose. In casting the plate separately, as is contemplated by this invention, the cost of the production and handling of the trap cover is considerably reduced, and far less skill is required to .produce the cover plate. AThe present invention'provides a Aber gas- Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented July fd., 191W.

Serial No. 83,959.

V ket, or one of any suitable material, which is interposed between the independent cover plate and the separate externally threaded plug. Securing means holds the cover plate, the gasket, and the threaded plug in assembled relation.

Uther objects and advantages of this invention, as well as the above, will be brought out specifically in the following description of the present preferred embodiments of the invention, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a vertical central sectional view, taken through a. screw cover for traps embodying the features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the saine.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the cover plate, the interposed packing gasket,

and the screw plug, the same being separated and arranged in registry in their respective superposed positions.

Fig. -lc is a vertical central sectional view,

taken through a screw cover embodying the features of this invention, and showing a slight modification of the structure shown in Fig. l. V

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary central sectional view, taken vertically through the cover, showing another modified form.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. et, showing` a further modification in the structure of the cover'.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 5, showing a modified form of the connection shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the screw plug or lower section of the cover, showing a slight modification in the form of the spider.

Referring to these drawings, wherein like parts are designated by similar .numerals of reference throughout the several views, and referring particularly to Figs. l to 3, 10 designates a cover plate of relatively large diameter and preferably of circular form. This cover plate is made in the form of a disk having flat upper and lower sides, and is preferably made of steel. For the purpose of protecting this cover plate 10, lmd also for ornamenting the same, it may be copper or nickel plated. The cover plate may, of course, be made of any suitable material, such as aluminum, sheet brass, 0r any alloy, or other material which is found suitable for the purpose. The central portion of this'cover plate or disk l() has a non-pirm cular opening 11 therein, which, in Figs. 1 and 3, is shown as of rectangular form. The cover plate 10 is adapted toy seat on top of the trap in the usual manner. Arranged immediately beneath this separate cover plate 10 isa gasket 12 of disk form, and ofv a diameter slightly less than that of the cover plate 10. This gasket 12 is preferably of liber, although any other suitable material may be used. The central portion of the gasket 12 has a non-circular opening 13 therein, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, conforms in size and shape to the opening 11 in the cover plate 10, vand is adapted to register therebeneath. The gasket 12 is adapted to seat on top of a trap and be held flat thereagainst by the projecting edge or flange of the cover plate.

In lieu of the usual integral depending flange commonly formed on cover plates, the present invention provides a separate and `independent screw plug 14, which, as shown in the drawing, comprises an annular or ring member externally and peripherally threaded at its lower end, as at 15, and having its upperend integral with the spider arms 16 radiating. from a central web or socket portion 17. The web or socket portion 17, as

shown in Fig. 3, is substantially rectangular in form, so as to provide a central opening 18 of the size and contour of the openings 11 and 13 in the cover plate and the gasket,

and so as to provide arms of substantially uniform width at the different sides, and about the opening 18. For the purpose of strengthening the spider 16, the arms of the spider radiate from the angles or corners of the web 17, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and- 3.

For firmly uniting these members and turning the same as a unit when screwing the plug. into a trap opening, and when removing the plug therefrom, a stud bolt may be provided, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. This bolt has an angularly faced head 19 upon its upper end which is adapted to seat upon the upper face of the cover plate 10, project thereabove, and serve as a means for receiving the jaws of a wrench, or the like, to manipulate the screw cover The stud bolt has an angularly ,faced shank 20 immediately adjacent and beneath the head 19. This shank 20 is of a size and form to lit snugly into the openings 11, 13 and 18 formed respectively in the cover plate 10, the gasket 12, and the screw plug 14. The lower extremity of the shank of the stud bolt is reduced in diameter and is threaded, as at 2l, the threaded extremity projecting downwardly Vbelow the spider 16 of the screw plug. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a binding or clamping nut 22 is threaded upon the lower extremity 21 of the stud bolt. This nut 22 has a concaved inner face 23 formed by the dishing out of the upper or inner side of the nut 22 to provide the mit is made for taking up any wearor compresj sion ofthe gasket 12 without sacrificing the strength of the stud bolt, and without providing any separate means for locking the screw plug 14 for rotation with the stud bolt.. This binding nut 22 is turned up on the threaded end 21 of the stud bolt to force the flange of the nut 22 against the web or socket frame 17 of the spider. Thus, the nut 22 forces the web 17 upwardly over the angular shank 20' and binds the screw plug tightly aga-inst the gasket, and also draws the cover plate 10 downwardly against the gasket, s0 as to firmly unite the three members. When thehead 19 is turned'to screw the cover into or outl of a trap opening, the angular shank 20, which engages in the angular openings of the three members, carries with it these three members. Thus, the three members are not permitted to slip relatively to each other when the screw plug is turned either into or out of the trap opening.

It will Valso be noted, particularly from Fig. 1, that the spider 16 and the web 17 of the screw plug are integral with the upper end of t-he plug, and thereby impart a cup like shape to the screw plug. .This form is provided for the purpose of reducing the weight and amount of material of the screw plug, and also for the purpose of housing the threaded extremity 21 of the bolt andl the nut 22. A relatively flat trap cover is thereby provided which may be handled, packed and shipped easily and economically.

In Fie: 4 ofthe drawings, there is shown Y a modified form of the above described trap cover. The plug 14 has the external threads 15 at itslower end, and the spider 16. ThisV spider 16 may be of the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or may be of the modified form shown in Fig. 8, wherein a single diametrically extending arm 16a bridges thefupper open end of thescrew plug 14. The intermediate portion of the arm 16a has a sub stantially circularly formed web 17, which may be providedwith a central opening 18a, which is threaded, as shown in Fig. 4, to receive in threaded relation therethrough the lower threaded extremity 21aL of the stud bolt. This bolt has the angularly faced head 19 of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and

is provided with a shank 20a, which may be round or cylindrical, as shown in Fig. 4, or which may have angular faces, as shown at 2Ob in Fig. 5. In the structure shown inV Fig. 4, the cover plate 10 is provided with a central circular opening 11a, andthe gasket 12 is provided with a central circular open-V f ing 13a, which may be of any diameter to admit the free passage of the stud bolt therethrough. In Fig. 5, the fastening device or bolt has an angularly faced shank 20", which is relatively short, so that it passes but little beyond the lower face of the cover plate 10. When the screw threaded end 21a is turned downwardly through the web 17a, the shank 2Ob is drawn downwardly through the plate, and through the gasket so as to compress the latter, the shank 20b being relatively short to admit of the compression o-f these members, and the subsequent adjustment of the fastening device to maintain the members tightly together after settling.

In Fig. 6 another modified form is shown. The screw plug 14 has the external threads 15, the spider 16a and the central web 17a. It is, of course, understood that this screw plug of Fig. 6 may be of the form shown in Fig. 3, if desired. The web 17a is shown in Figs. 6 and 8, as having an upstanding angularly faced projection forming a shank 20C adapted for passage upwardly through the opening 11 in the cover plate 10. The upper extremity of this projection or shank is externally threaded and reduced in diameter as at 21C, and projects above the upper face of the cover plate 10. An angularly faced head 19e, in the form of an internally threaded cap nut is threaded upon the upper end 21c of the shank, and is adapted to bind down upon the upper face of the cover plate 10, so as to compress the latter against the packing and the screw plug 1K1. Fig. 6 discloses the cover plate 10 and the gasket 12 as having the angular openings 11 andl 13 of Fig. 3 therein. If desired, the cover., plate 10 may have the circular opening 11a-,g Fig. 7, and the gasket 12 may have the circular opening 13a. jection or web 172L contour, as at 20d. The cap nut 19, standing projection of the cover, is down over the threaded shank 21c the sections of the cover together.

As regards these last described forms of,v the invention, shown in Figs. 4 to 8, the projection 19 has angular faces to receive th l shank, which 1s carried upon the or up turne to binc jaws of a wrench thereagainst, so that the projection may be turned. is in the form of a cap nut or bolt head and is bound tightly against the top of the cover plate, so that when the projection is turned, the entire screw cover turns therewith. Jafter the cover is in place in a trap opening, or the like, if access is desired to the trap, the projection or head 19 may be unscrewed from the plug member, and the plate 10 and gasket 12 lifted upwardly from the same. As the plug member 14 is of spider construction, in both forms of the invention, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and in Fig. 8, access may readily be had .to the in- In this instance, the pro-.f"

Ythe plate.

This projection terior of the trap through the top of the undisturbed screw plug.

In all forms of the invention as above described, it will be understood that the features of advantage of this invention are present. These main features are that the cover plate, and the screw plug member, may be made separately, and of different materials, so that the diflicultios heretofore met with in casting the integral screw covers are overcome, and a screw cover is produced which may be economically manufactured and more easily handled, not only in applying and removing it, but also in the use of the plug when it is desired to gain access to the interior of the trap. In all forms of the invention a central connecting means is employed in the form of a bolt, which is made separate from the plate and plug, eX- cept in the form shown in Figs. 6, 7 and S, wherein it is represented as integral with the plug. Also all forms comprehend the employment of a polygonal part on the central. connecting means, said part being separato from the cover plate, and in some instances serving as a nut and in others as the head of a bolt.

The subject matter shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing is specifically claimed in application Number 113,392, filed August 5, 1916.

What is claimed is 1. In a cover, the combination with a plug consisting of a ring member and a radial integral arm connected to the ring member and located in substantially the same horizontal plane as the upper edge of said ring member. a gasket placed upon said ring member and arm and closing over the spaces between said ring member and said arm, a cover plate fitted upon the gasket and of' `greater diameter than the same, and a coni 1,; of the screw plug, is of eylindricalf ,-.1 nectmg means between the arm of said ring member and said cover plate and around which connecting means the gasket is fitted, aid connecting means serving to hold the plug, gasket and plate in rigid relation with gasket clamped between the plug and 2. A cover comprising a cover plate, 'gasket engaging against the under side of said cover plate, a plug engaging against the j. under side of said gasket, said plug com- 'Y prising a ring having a transverse arm connected to the same, and a central connecting device for rigidly connecting the transverse arm of the plug and the cover plate and clamping the gasket between the plug and the plate, said device having a polygonal part thereon outside the cover plate and engaging the latter to hold the parts together.

3. A. cover comprising a flat plate, a gasket engaging against the under side of the plate, a plug of less diameter than the plate and the gasket positioned against the gasthe arm of the plug and passed through ket, said plug having peripheral screw threads, the gasket lying between the plate and the plug and being exposed beyond the periphery of the plug, and a central connecting device for bindingthe plug, the gasket and the plate together and having a projection extending above the upper face of the cover plate for engagement with a wrench for turning the cover, said central connecting device having means coacting with the gasket and plate to hold the said parts from turning independently of the cover.

4l. A cover comprising a l[lat plate, a gasket arranged on the under side of said plate, a plug of less diameter than the plate and the gasket and having a flat upper face positioned against the gasket, said plug having peripheral screw threads, the gasket being clamped between and by the opposed flat faces of the plate and plug, and being exposed beyond the periphery of the plug, and a central connecting device for rigidly connecting the plug, the gasket and the plate to hold said parts from relative rotation and permit all of said members to be applied as a unit, said connecting device having a polygonal part located outside said plate and engaging the latter.

5. A cover comprising a screw plug having an upstanding shank at its central portion, said shank being externally threadedV upon its upper extremity, a gasket fitting over said shank and engaging upon the upper face of said screw plug, a plate fitting over said shank and resting upon said gasket, said gasket and said plate being of greater diameter than the screw plug, and an internally threaded wrench receiving head engaging in threaded relation over the upper end of said shank and bearing against the upper face of said plate to force the same and said gasket against said screw plug.

6. A cover comprising a cover plate, a gasket fitted against the under side of said cover plate, a plug engaging against the lower face of the gasket, said plug comprising a flat ring having a diametrically extending arm connected to the upper edge of said ring and bridging the space defined by said ring, a threaded bolt connected with openingsmof said gasket and cover plate, and a nut on said bolt to engage said plate for binding all of the members together and permitting them to be turned as a unit.

7. A cover comprising a screw plug having an upstanding shank, a cover plate fitting over the shank and being of greater diameter than the screw plug, a gasket fitting over the shank between the screw plug and the cover plate and being of greater opies' of this patent maybe obtained for diameter than the screw plug, and a detachable tool receiving projection on the upper end of said' shank for binding the gasket and the plate to said plug and for turning the cover asa unit in applying it.

S. A'cover comprising a cylindrical ring having peripheral screw threads and having a diametrically extending arm bridging its upper edge, said arm having an intermediate web portion with an upstanding shank, a gasket fitting over the shank and against said arm and web portion, aV cover plate fitting over the shank and against the gasket, said gasket and said plate being of larger diameter than said ring, and a cap nut threaded on the upper end of the shank and adapted to bind the gasket between the web portion and the plate. t

9. A cover comprising a cover plate, a screw `plug of less diameter than the plate arranged thereben'eath, said screw plug having a cylindrical portion with peripheral screwv threads at its lower end, and a centrally disposed web portion at its upper end and having a threaded shank projecting upwardly through the plate from the web portion, a gasket interposed between said screw plug and the cover plate for sealing the latter on the trap, and a polygonal nut on the upper end ofthe shank adapted to be turned down against the plate for binding the same and the gasket to the screw plug.

I0. A cover comprising a cover plate, a screw plug of lessv diameter than the plate arranged beneath the same and comprising a-cylindrical body portion with peripheral threads at its lower' end and a diametrically extending arm bridging its upper end, said arm having an upstanding integral shank threaded at its upper end and having angularly disposed faces at its base, a gasket fitting over said shank and having an angular opening closely fitting the shank to prevent turning of the gasket on the screw plug, a cover plate having an angular opening therethrough fitting over the shank and closely engaging the angularly disposed faces thereof to hold the cover platey from turning on the shank, and a cap-nut threaded upon the upper endy of the shank for binding engagement against said cover-plate to clamp the same against the gasket and upon said screw plug, said angularly faced base portion of the shank holding thecover plate and the gasket from'turning relatively to the-screw plug. 1

In testimony that IA claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto 'afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. Y

l PERCY C. GIBSON.

` Vitnesses:

Louis S. GIBSON, A. V. RYCKMAN.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ot Patents.V Washington, D. G. 

